St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-07-23
MARYLAND DUNKARD9.

N"SIANO OOvSNAHO0.
Dasly Hisesry a.a Dsvslspos.s =
RsAg1oas 0eeIsty.
Dunkard. or TINKER, is . corruptio
Of the German tMnken. Ito Dip whic
applied to q religious denominatio
which originated in Germany. In Ii
year 1706 Alexander Mack. of Schwar'
zenau. agreed with . few Of his neigh
bors to meet together and discuss th
word of God without reference to a
isting creeds. Without being awar
that other denominations held simila
views. they adopted the Bible Is thei
creed without catechism or confession
OF faith. and the independent or con
gregational form Of church government
Persons become members BY baptism
which is administered by immersion
kneeling and dipping three times; henc,
their name. They do not practice in
fant baptism. deeming it anti-scriptural
They have no paid ministry. but cleo
one Of the male members Of the congre
CATION to act in the capacity Of preacher
for one year. They hold revival.
twice year-in the winter and spring
when an ardent enthusiasm is stirred
up. There is, however. no shouting in
their revivals. Their services are very
much like those Of other churches.
In their early history. in this country.
nearly all the men wore long boards.
some over half yard long; but this
was not requisite to membership.
There are but few now who wear boards
at all. Their style of dress is odd. not
unlike that Of the Quaker, whom they
follow in their non-conformity to the
world in this respect There are MEM
beers even at the present day who dis
card buttons as entirely too gay. and
fasten their coats with hooks and eyes.
They are neither allowed to take an
oath nor to engage in war. Daring the
war of the rebellion number of young
Dunkarls enlisted in the Union army.
OF these some were killed; the survivors
returned and were obliged to answer
for it to the church. The Dunkards
were opposed to slavery. and with .
strong sentiment that way in the
church. the case Of these Maynard sons
was finally satisfactorily settled. none
Of them being punished.
In addition to these views. they hold
it sinful to 60 to war. or to invoke the
aid of civil authorities. even in self-de-
Tense. They formerly refused all inter-
est on money. but this regulation has
been modified with time. and they now
lend money at legal rates. but never
accept usurv. Twice q year they cele-
brate the communion in connection
with the agapa. or love feast. Several
weeks before. visiting deacons 90 around
among the brethren to allay all dissen-
siOns and to get them in state Of COM
in order to partake wOrthily of
the solemn feast. They also salute one
another with the kiss of charity. anoint
The sick with oil for recovery. and
wash one another's feet. This last
practice they follow As q Christian or
finance. On these occasions the men
md women are arranged on opposite
tides. on benches. in their bare feet.
Two men with aprons and towels move
,long the row on the mems side, and
wo women similarly supplied on that
II the women-One washing the feet
md the other wiping them. After the
eet-washing they partakc Of a collation.
# biscuit, cheese and coffee. This is
he love feast. which extends to the
ength Of appeasing the appetite. After
,ating rs much 40 they wish the sacra-
nent is administered.
The Dunkaris consisted first of Mack
md a few of his neighbors. They soon
increased in number. and several
churches were built, in which their
nipple and impressive services were
'eld. Although leading peaceful and
harmless lives. they were prosecuted by
he State and were driven to seek refuge
n other lands. Many fed to Holland
md the Duchy Of Cleves. Whether they |
net with similar treatment here or not
Ve are unable to state. but shortly after
hey all emigrated to America. The
rst families arrived in l719 and settled |
n Germantown. In 1888 company of |
hem emigrated from Pennsylvania and
established themselves in Western
iaryland, where their numerous
hurches and large numbers at the
resent day are proof abundant of
heir religious activity and zeal. There
re in Washington County no less than
,urteen churches. with . considerable
membership. Those at Keedysville and
'eaver Creek are the oldest in the
ounty. The latest addition is the one
n East Washington street, in Hagers-
,wn. The one at Sharpsburg has
ecome famous because of the part it
layed in the battle of Antietam; for
was about this old building that the
attle ragged most fierccly. Here it was
lat the three corps Of Hooker, Mans
ED and Sumner were completely
battered while attempting to turn
ackson's flank; four generals and
early all the commissioned officers
ere slain, and brigades were reduced
mere handfuls. The walls of the old
,urch were shattered by shot and
lell. but they have since been repaired
nd show no marks of the deadly con-
let in which they took so conspicuous
part. l.
Many Of the most prominent citizens
Washington County are descended
ON old Dunkard families. The New
'mers, Millers, Weltys. Snivelys.
Dhrers. Middlekauffs. Funks and Wit
ers. were originally members Of the
unkard church. They are still
rye and influential denomination, and